Published Thursday, 06 December, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
Website boosts Queensland’s backpacking industry
Queensland’s 356,000 annual backpackers now have a new website to make their trip to the Sunshine State easier and more enjoyable.
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle, also the Member for Cairns, officially launched the website www.backpackingqueensland.com.au at Calypso Backpackers in Cairns today.
“Backpackers are extremely important to Queensland’s tourism industry, with around 356,000 backpackers visiting each year,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Far North is a key destination, with more than 60 per cent of backpackers including a stay in the tropics.
“This new website has been designed to better support backpackers during their stay and to attract more backpackers to Australia’s holiday state.
“The Queensland Government has invested more than $25,000 through Tourism Queensland to help Backpacking Queensland update the state’s backpacker website.
“The new site will include more language translations and interactive maps and has the ability for backpackers to upload their travel stories and photos.
“The site will also soon have a state-of-the-art booking system for Queensland backpacking trips and activities.
Ms Boyle said Queensland was the ultimate backpacker destination, with backpacker numbers growing by an average of five per cent a year over the past four years.
“Since 2005 there has been a 10 per cent increase in backpacker numbers and a 27 per cent increase in backpacker visitor nights to Queensland,” she said.
“Each year, backpackers spend more than 11.9 million visitor nights in Queensland at an average of 33 visitor nights per trip.
“Nearly half of all international backpackers to Queensland were aged 15 - 24, while a further 44 per cent were aged 25 - 44.
“I congratulate Backpacking Queensland and Tourism Queensland for their tireless work in presenting how the state’s tourism experiences are sold to backpackers,” Ms Boyle said.
Backpacking Queensland Chairman Brett Claxton said the organisation was committed to working with the State Government, Tourism Queensland and industry to increase the state’s share of the $2.8 billion per year national backpacking market.
“Backpackers are early adopters of travel advancements and technology so as a state industry we must ensure we meet their changing needs,” Mr Claxton said.
“This new website has been developed in collaboration with the tourism industry to ensure it not only meets the requirements of the backpacker market, but exceeds their expectations to the point they stay longer.
“We look forward to the new website generating more employment and financial opportunities for Queensland’s backpacker industry.”
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
6 December 2007
Tourism, Regional Development and Industry Minister Desley Boyle, also the Member for Cairns, officially launched the website www.backpackingqueensland.com.au at Calypso Backpackers in Cairns today.
“Backpackers are extremely important to Queensland’s tourism industry, with around 356,000 backpackers visiting each year,” Ms Boyle said.
“The Far North is a key destination, with more than 60 per cent of backpackers including a stay in the tropics.
“This new website has been designed to better support backpackers during their stay and to attract more backpackers to Australia’s holiday state.
“The Queensland Government has invested more than $25,000 through Tourism Queensland to help Backpacking Queensland update the state’s backpacker website.
“The new site will include more language translations and interactive maps and has the ability for backpackers to upload their travel stories and photos.
“The site will also soon have a state-of-the-art booking system for Queensland backpacking trips and activities.
Ms Boyle said Queensland was the ultimate backpacker destination, with backpacker numbers growing by an average of five per cent a year over the past four years.
“Since 2005 there has been a 10 per cent increase in backpacker numbers and a 27 per cent increase in backpacker visitor nights to Queensland,” she said.
“Each year, backpackers spend more than 11.9 million visitor nights in Queensland at an average of 33 visitor nights per trip.
“Nearly half of all international backpackers to Queensland were aged 15 - 24, while a further 44 per cent were aged 25 - 44.
“I congratulate Backpacking Queensland and Tourism Queensland for their tireless work in presenting how the state’s tourism experiences are sold to backpackers,” Ms Boyle said.
Backpacking Queensland Chairman Brett Claxton said the organisation was committed to working with the State Government, Tourism Queensland and industry to increase the state’s share of the $2.8 billion per year national backpacking market.
“Backpackers are early adopters of travel advancements and technology so as a state industry we must ensure we meet their changing needs,” Mr Claxton said.
“This new website has been developed in collaboration with the tourism industry to ensure it not only meets the requirements of the backpacker market, but exceeds their expectations to the point they stay longer.
“We look forward to the new website generating more employment and financial opportunities for Queensland’s backpacker industry.”
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2004
6 December 2007